Economic Democracy: Can it Work?

Can democracy extend beyond politics into the economy itself? What would it mean for workers and communities to have a real say in the decisions that shape their livelihoods?

This conversation brings together Osita Nwanevu, author of The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding (2025) and Nairuti Shastry of the Center for Economic Democracy, to explore different pathways toward “economic democracy.” From rebuilding unions and expanding worker ownership to community-led wealth building and solidarity economy models, they’ll discuss how democratic participation in our economic lives can offer an alternative to an economic system dominated on one hand by technocratic engineering and on the other by laissez-faire free markets. The conversation will be moderated by Claire Jones, US Economics Editor at the Financial Times.

The event will feature a 45-minute panel discussion with a happy hour to follow.

Event Schedule:

• 6:00 PM: Doors open
• 6:30 PM: Panel Discussion
• 7:15-9:00 Social and networking

Special thanks to the event sponsor, Center for Economic Democracy, and our host venue, Busboys and Poets.

This event will follow the Chatham House Rule to encourage open and honest discussion.

is a nonpartisan forum for policymakers to explore, question, and reimagine economics beyond the mainstream lens. Our programs connect congressional staff with thinkers, practitioners, and communities developing alternative approaches to economic policymaking.

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